I've often wondered how a film starring substantial, popular actors like John Cusack (One Crazy Summer, Stand by Me) and Tim Robbins (Bull Durham, Top Gun) could remain so obscure to the majority of video renters that the majority of video stores don't even carry it. I am also surprised it hasn't been widely lauded by fans of the stars as well, since both give very impressive and energetic performances throughout this quirky comedy. Tapeheads is a cult comedy, and by the very essence of the term, it is a film loved by a small percentage of people while the remainder of the mainstream film viewers scratch their heads in bewilderment as to why. I happen to fall into the minority that thinks Tapeheads a unique, and often very funny film, that deserves much more attention than it has, and probably ever will have.

Cusack and Robbins play Ivan and Josh, lifelong friends, sharing everything together, including their love for a no-longer-great rhythm and blues duo known as the Swanky Modes. Their inability to keep jobs keeps them on the move, and one day during a brainstorming session they decide to pool their talents and start their own video production company, Video Aces. Among their many projects, one brings them just a tad too much trouble, when they are given a videotape of a leading presidential candidate caught doing some perverse sexual acts, and the boys have to watch their back while also trying to make a living in the music video industry.

Tapeheads is a pure joy to watch, a funny, irreverent comedy that evokes laughs just by the sheer absurdity of the situations. The humor tends to be a bit broad, from satire to slapstick, sometimes very black humor as well. Perhaps the film does get a little too ambitious resulting in the loss of many viewers early on, as some may just find it too downright weird to be palatable. However, it is because of this ambitiousness that I enjoy Tapeheads as much as I do. It takes the gambles many comedies of its era rarely do. You'll find yourself cracking up hysterically at its silliness, and begin to realize that it is successful 9 times out of 10 in a pull-out-all-stops effort to make it as fun a movie as possible.